Heated Tensions
In Sootopolis' Cave of Origin, a green-haired, teal eyed young woman with Kyogre-esqe earrings, facial tattoos, and matching spear felt her way through the cave, a light-blue-haired, green-eyed young man lacking such adornments nervously following.
"S-So, Narissa?" said the young man to the woman. "What's this visit for again?"
"The other Sootopolis villagers have been reporting very odd things happening around the crater... Pools of water boiling over, strange rumblings in the ground, the peaks' huts are built on shifting without warning... As the Chieftain, I have to figure out if the volcano's active again."
The young man looked around, noting the increased amount of steam, heat and, oddly, glowing red crystals compared to blue ones. "...And why did you bother bringing me along?"
Narissa looked at him and raised an eyebrow. "Apollo, we've known each other for years, we're in a relationship, and from both those I trust you and I know you can help me out here?"
Apollo stared at her for a few seconds, all the possible answers to her rushing through his mind.
I don't think I can help you. I'm useless.
You saved our tribe and founded this village. I barely did anything.
I don't deserve your trust or respect. I don't deserve anyone's.
He gulped slightly, then smiled half-heartedly at her.
"Alright... Thank you."
Narissa furrowed her brow briefly before giving a small smile herself and nodding. "Alright, let' go."
She headed off; Apollo stared after her a while.
And I can't even tell you the truth of it all still.
I'm worthless.
...I'm weak.
He sighed and followed.
The two advanced through the cave only to stagger back and yell at the sight and heat of a pool of lava having formed where the central pool of water normally was.
"Oh no..." said Apollo. "The volcano, it's getting active again..."
"Last it reignited was when the meteor that Mega Evolved Rayquaza hit it;" said Narissa; "I don't know if anything we can stop caused it thi-"
They both yelled again as an incredibly loud roar echoed through the cavern, followed by a booming telepathic voice that was nonetheless distinctly feminine. ~Who's causing this obnoxious racket?!~
A massive, red, reptilian Pokemon with thick armor plates embedded with markings that flashed blue intermittently steadily emerged from the lava as Apollo and Narissa backed away slowly. Her yellow eyes snapped open, and upon seeing the two her expression grew furious and she gave another roar and telepathic yell. ~Humans?! Who let humans into this cave?!~
"Don't panic," whispered Narissa to Apollo.
"Too late," whispered Apollo back.
Narissa hesitated before stepping forward to address the behemoth. "Lady Kyogre did. She gave us this crater as sanctuary. It's our home now, and I'm the chieftain."
The red beast before them only seemed to grow more enraged. ~That bitch Kyogre always screws things up! I made a deal with her on swapping out using this cave as a resting place, and what does she do with it while I'm gone? Invite a bunch of fucked-up perfectly good monkeys to crash at the place when it's supposed to be private!~
She leaned in close to Narissa and snarled.
~This is Groudon you're talking to now. I'm no softie, and I don't like trespassers. I suggest you and your other human friends get the fuck out.~
Narissa flinched at the massive heat Groudon radiated, but scowled back.
"We earned this crater. We fought off our worst enemies to get it. You can't just take it back."
~Of course I can! I'm Groudon! You ain't gonna sway me human, chieftain or not! Get out before I blow this place to kingdom come to get rid of you personally!~
Narissa stammered, but hesitated at Groudon's words and intense glare.
At her previous words and Groudon's response, however, something stirred within Apollo, and his mind started racing.
Groudon... She could easily...
No, I... I can't let her... I...
He gulped a third time, then stepped forward and gave Groudon a truly icy glare.
"You'd really be that cruel, Groudon?"
Groudon's attention snapped to him, and she leaned in to Apollo, glaring and snarling again. He could feel the same heat radiating off her Narissa did, and suspected it was taking all her self-restraint for her to not use it to sear the flesh off his bones.
~Cruel? I'm dealing with trespassers here!~
"Your "trespassers" are villagers who lost their homes to vicious raiders and had to hole up here to stay safe, and then fought them off again, and now you're willing to murder them all just for being around?"
Groudon huffed a cloud of steam, then put a claw to her chin. ~When you put it that way... Yeah, blowing you all up is harsh even by my standards.~
She glared at him again. ~But how can I trust you apes to take care of this place? I decidedly still have the option of escorting you out of here less lethally.~
"We have been taking good care of this place. We've been keeping the water clean, making sure the village huts are built to align with the cliffs, growing more berry gardens everywhere we can..."
At his last words Groudon grinned. ~Berry gardens? Now we're taking! Always told Kyogre we needed more plant life around here to soak up the sun...~
She looks between Apollo and Narissa and nods.
~Hmmm... From everything you've been saying I suppose you humans get my permission to stick around too. Just don't screw the place up.~
She turned to Apollo and grinned.
~And I like you kid; you've got spunk when you wanna show it. Keep that up.~
Apollo simply stared at her shocked in response as she descended back into the lava.
He was similarly shocked when Narissa hugged him.
"Apollo, thank you,I wasn't sure what to say to her at all..."
Apollo hugged back. "Thank you, it... It just seemed like the right thing to do..."
Narissa broke the hug and grinned. "Tell you what, why don't we get some Groudon adornments like my Kyogre ones to celebrate?"
Apollo blinked, then grinned back. "Sounds like a plan to me."
They both pumped their fists in victory and rushed out of the cave.